The Black Girl’s Guide To Travel: 6 Destinations To Glow Up And Wind Down This National Wellness Month

Every August, we celebrate $1.35 trillion by 2028 and is expected to continue to grow. If you’re looking to tap into this popular way to travel by booking a quick getaway this month to celebrate wellness, here are six destinations and experiences worth trying.

Grand Wailea Waldorf Astoria Resort – Wailea, HI

In simple terms, “E Ala E” is a heartfelt ceremony where you greet the rising sun led by a cultural practitioner. Many Hawaiian resorts and hotels regularly offer this meaningful experience to guests. Grand Wailea, for instance, describes it as an opportunity to find inner peace and express repressed emotions, all while exploring over 1,600 years of resilient Hawaiian history alongside the resort’s cultural director and Maui native Kalei ‘Uwēko‘olani. The sunrise ritual invites guests to let go of the past, look forward to a new beginning, and feel renewed as they emerge from the ocean. It concludes with a traditional Hawaiian oli chant. I can say from personal experience, it is hands-down one of the best things I have ever done, and something I do every time I visit Hawaii.

Framework – Nashville, TN

My love for saunas and cold plunges was sparked during a trip to Finland a few years ago. They help with inflammation, promote circulation, and just feel good. So, I am happy to see it make landfall here in the States. The studio Framework was the first to bring these concepts to Nashville. Their latest offering, the TERSA SAVA Sound Pod, is a testament to their commitment to wellness. A 22–44-minute SAVA session in this pod provides a quick and uplifting reset for your nervous system. It achieves this by combining full-body vibration with a wide array of science-based sound frequencies in a cozy, human-sized pod. (Don’t be nervous, the pods are actually pretty spacious!) The SAVA Sound Pod is designed to gently calm your mind, enhance focus, and bring your body into a more harmonious state. Guests can choose from two comforting guided modes: Calm for grounding and relaxation or Create for focus, creativity, and mental clarity.

VIDA Cayman – Cayman Islands

Searches for “digital detox” have increased. People are looking to unplug in a whole new way. VIDA, a boutique oceanfront resort in the Cayman Islands, is the answer people are looking for. Combining the hype of The White Lotus and travelers’ desire to unplug, the resort offers a tantalizing deal: 50% off a three-night stay for guests who go completely phone-free. Those with stays of three days or more will be asked to surrender all electronic devices at check-in. Instead of doom-scrolling and checking e-mails, spend your device-free days exploring the Cayman reefs, wind foiling, or horseback riding. There are more laid-back activities to explore, such as eco adventures, sound baths, fitness sessions, Reiki healing, or cooking classes.

Sensei Lanai – Lanai City, HI 

Your journey to wellness begins before your arrival at Sensei Lanai with a WHOOP band used by your sensei to analyze your needs and biomarkers, creating a customized plan for you during your stay. You can focus on activities such as getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and practicing sensory eating. One of the things I appreciate is the 1:1 approach, because, in my experience, many wellness offerings are in a group setting, which can certainly feel intimidating to some folks, particularly those new to their wellness journey. I also really like the art walk. It’s a leisurely hour-long stroll through the property’s gardens, a perfect way to appreciate and interpret world-class pieces of art and sculptures.

Mii amo – Sedona, AZ

Having explored numerous spas, my first experience at Mii amo, a wellness retreat, remains unparalleled. Each day, you’re granted a spa credit for a variety of facials and massages, yet it’s the spiritual and healing practices that truly captivate me. Despite initial apprehension about delving deeper, the experience proved to be profoundly beneficial. The retreat offers unique services such as hypnosis, past-life regression analysis, saging, and aura readings. I left feeling better connected to myself, and it strengthened my relationships with others.

Edgewater Tahoe Resort – Stateline, NV

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